Sound-reproducing device



Feb. 19, 1929. 7 1,702,240

P. G. ANDRES SOUND REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed March 13, 1926 Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES I 1,702,240 PATENT OFFICE.

IPAUL G. ANDRES, 0F RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NEWCOMBE-HAWLEY,

INO., OF ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SOUND-REPRODUCING DEVICE.

Application filed. March 13, 1926. Serial No. 94,390.

The present invention relates to sound reproducing devices, such as those used in radio reception.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel sound producing or reproducing device having a vibratable diaphragm, which in the specific embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention is shown as a conical diaphragm, so mounted that it will have the advantage and capability of free and unhampered vibration, particularly at the edge or margin thereof whereby tonal rendition may be truer to the original sound production and distortion eleminated or so minimized asto be imperceptible, thus avoiding the disadvantages accompanying the clamping of the margin of a diaphragm between clamping rings, as heretofore. This free vibration may tained by supporting the diaphragm at a few points by flexible connections or supporting elements to a support which may surroun and be spaced from the marginal portion of the diaphragm. V

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel supporting element for the diaphragm, preferably with a thin flexible part or strip extending across the space between the support and the margin of the diaphragm, and. having means for engaging or securing the ends of the strip to the support and to the margin of the diaphragm. The ends of the strip may have reinforcing pieces, such as bent clamping members, such pieces also preferably having apertures, slots or notches of preferably elongated form through which the securing means or elements may extend when securing these members to the support and to the marginal. portion of the diaphragm. The shape and size of the notches are such as to-permit relative adjustment of the supporting element and the support or the diaphragm, or both before the securing elements are set or tightened.

The invention also comprehends a novel supporting means which may surround, yet be spaced from the marginal portion of the diaphragm and protect and conceal the same.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities and features are comprehended by the invention as will later more fully appearand are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a vertical rear view of a sound reproducing device be and is preferably at-- View of the part shown in Fig. 3 but in spaced assembly.

.And, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectlonal view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but showing the position of the cone reversed. Referring nowmore in detail to the drawings, the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention is shown as comprising a support having a base 1 and a supporting member 2 of angular form and preferably of angular cross section so as to form a peripheral portion 3 and a face portion 4 surrounding a large opening 5 through which the sound is emitted from a diaphragm 6, this diaphragm 1 being shown of the cone type, but may be of any desired form.

For the purpose of supporting the diaphragm freely, the surrounding supporting portion .2 is provided at a few points at the rear of the face portion 4 with rigidly secured or attached projecting parts or elements 7, these elements being secured to the face portion 4 in any suitable manner, as'by welding or the like. These projecting portions 7 are suitably provided with threaded apertures or recesses 8 in which may be secured a securing element or screw 9 passing through an elongated notch 10 in' the supporting element.

Each supporting element comprises a thin flexible piece or body portion 11 in the form of a strip with reinforcing pieces or clamping members 12 and 13 at the ends of the strips 11. The clamping members are preferably pro: vided with elongated notches l0 and 14, such notches also being cut in the ends of the strip 11, as clearly shown in Fig. t of the drawings. The strips 11 may be of any suitable flexible material or of thin metal and adapted to easily flex in a direction normal to the plane of the strips 11, yet of sufficient strength to support the diaphragm in place as shown. The inner member 12 of the supporting element may be secured to a marginal portion 15 by means of a suitable securing element, such as a rivet 16 passing through the notch 14 and a suitable aperture in the marginal por tion 15 of the diaphragm.

It will be obthe elongated slots and 14- afiord means 1 for making relative adjustments between the supporting projection 7 and the margin 15 of the diap ragm before the securing elements are set or secured in place so that there will not beloose play in a direction transverse to the axis of the diaphragm. It will also be observed that the securing elements and the margins of the diaphragm are located at the rear of and spaced from the face portion 4 so as to be concealed thereby. The opening 5 is of sufiicient size to permit a free emission of sound emanating from the surface of the diaphragm. The diaphragm may be vibrated by any suitable electro-magnetic means connected to the diaphragm in any suitable manner as by means of a rod '17,-

as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the electro-magnetic unit being supported in any suitable manner, as from the support used for supporting the diaphragm.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the cone is shown with the concaved side to the front of the support, while in Fig. 5 the cone is shown in reverse position with the apex thereof extending through the opening 5 and presented to the front of the device.

By supporting the diaphragm freely the margin thereof is not held from vibration as in a clam as heretofore, but is free to vibrate and t us produce the improved tonal qualities truer to the original production of sound and without the distortion usually ac-' companying the sound emitted from a diaphragm being clampedat its margin.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but comprehends other features, details, constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A sound reproducing device comprising a vibratable diaphragm, a support, and means ,comprisin a thin, flat, flexible strip for connecting t e diaphragm and the support whereby the diaphragm has freedom of vibration.

v2. A sound reproducing device comprising a vibratable diaphragm, a support, thin, flat, flexible elements secured to the edge of said diaphra m and to said support for holding the diap ragm in a free vibratable position.

3. A sound reproducing device comprising a vibratable diaphragm, a support, said diaphragm having its edge spaced from said support, thin,flex1ble strips inthe space between of securing means when said edge and said support and connected to said edge and said support forsupporting may be adapted for engagement with a support and the diaphragm. v

5. A supporting element for a vibratable sound producin diaphragm, comprising a thin flexible strip, and reinforcing members at the ends of said strip whereby the same may be adapted for engagement with a support and the diaphragm, said members having apertures for the makmg said engage? ment.

6 A sup-portingelement for a vibratable sound producing diaphragm, comprising a thin flexible strip, and reinforcing members at the ends of said strip whereby the same may be adapted for engagement with a sup port and the diaphragm, said members having elongated openings for permitting adjustment of the elements relative to the support and diaphragm.

7. A supporting element for a vibratable sound producing diaphragm, thin flexible strip, and reinforcing members at the ends of said strip whereby the same may be adapted for engagement with a support and the diaphragm, each of said members being-"bent to overlap and clamp an end of said strip and being provided with an elongated notch for adj ustably receiving a securing element.

8. A supporting element for a vibratable sound producing diaphragm, comprising a thin flexible bod portion and rigid end portions. adapted or securement to the diaphragm and supporting means therefor.

9. A sound reproducing device comprising a vibratable diaphragm, a support surrounding the same and spaced from the edge thereof, spaced flexible elements in said space,

means for securing said elements to the edge of-said diaphragm, and means for securing said elements to said support, whereby said diaphragm has substantially free vibration' 10. A sound reproducing device comprising a vibratable diaphragmLhaving a free marginal portion, a support surrounding said marginal portion and spaced therefrom, said marginal portion being located out of view behind a part of said support, supporting elements at intervals on said support, and flexible members extending across the space between said support and said marginal portion and being connected to said supporting elements and to said marginal portion at points nearest said supporting elements.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

PAUL G. ANDRES.

passage therethrough comprising a 

